Look-ahead erase for sequential data storage
US5949716A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 16, 1997 |
| Grant date | Sep 7, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 16, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG11C16/10
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Continuous recording in a flash memory uses a look-ahead erase process that includes simultaneously writing data to a first sector in a first array while preparing (erasing and/or partially programming) a second sector in a second array. The second sector is ready for writing when a last datum fills the first sector and is immediately available for writing while a third sector is prepared. The look-ahead erase keeps preparing sectors so that writing can continue without interruptions for erase processes. Embodiments of the invention include integrated circuit memories having two or more memory arrays, each having a plurality of independently erasable sectors. Each time a sector is filled the write process switches to a sector in another array.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.